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SOCORRO, N.M., March 18, 2005 – José Guilberto, a robotics researcher at New Mexico Tech’s Intelligent Systems and Robotics Group, was found dead on Wednesday, March 16, in his Socorro residence. The New Mexico State Office of the Medical Investigator currently is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

“The passing of such a young and talented researcher, who was well-liked and respected throughout the campus community, has been a devastating blow to all of us here at New Mexico Tech, particularly the staff, faculty and students whom he worked with on a daily basis,” said Tech President Daniel H. López.

Guilberto, age 29, received his master of science degree in computer science at New Mexico Tech in 2001, and stayed on at the university to pursue his research interests in robotics. He arrived at New Mexico Tech as an exchange student from Monterrey Tec in Queretero, Mexico, at the start of the 1997 fall semester.

As a New Mexico Tech graduate student, Guilberto competed in and won several international robotics competitions, including contests held in Hartford, Conn., and Beijing, China. He also served as campus coordinator for the New Mexico ROBORAVE high school robotics competitions when they were held on the university campus.

At several recent international conferences hosted by New Mexico Tech, Guilberto, who was fluent in both English and Spanish, served as an interpreter.

Guilberto, a native of Ixmiquilpan, Mexico, is survived by both his parents, four brothers, and a sister, as well as several close friends among the New Mexico Tech and Socorro communities.

A campus memorial service for Guilberto has been scheduled for Monday, March 21, at 3 p.m. in New Mexico Tech’s Macey Conference Center.